cheers

Keep in mind that Australia is a country with a population of 20 million--tiny. The university student population isn't big enough to require multiple extensions of unis. MacQaurie has a great reputation and is probably making good money from the Intl Management School. http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/about...tlstudents.htm

However, as I said, no point in my cautions. I am sure she will have fun at either school!

doodlebug

I have studied abroad in Australia twice (once in undergrad, once for my master's) at James Cook University in Queensland and recently Macquarie University. Definitly go through AustraLearn. They are a life saver, always have the answers, and are free!

The International School of Management and Macquarie University have VERY VERY high international populations with English as a SECOND language. That was interesting and I learned a lot from people around the world, but it wasn't what I was expecting from Australia. It was hard to meet or even see many Australians. Macquarie isn't well located either, in my opinion. It's an hour by bus to Sydney (no trains travel there) and much longer than that to an actual beach.

However, my experience at James Cook University if Queensland was completely different. There was still an international population but more Australians and more peole with English as a first language. I would highly recommend universities in Queensland if she would enjoy a beautiful, warm, laid-back, amazing place (I'm a bit biased!). It's like heaven on earth! Of course, if she's a big city girl it might not be for her.

About Bond University - I have never been there, but have a friend who went there and loved it. She lived right on the beach. I visited the Gold Coast for 5 days and really enjoyed it. The sand on the beach is so white and clean, you can surf and take lessons, and there's everything you need to stay happy there. I think she would love it (I know I would!).

No matter what she does, she will love it. Watch out - she may not want to come home! =)

marny1

Thanks Doodlebug for the info- d's plans for Australia are currently on the back burner, but I think she is going to speak with her advisor next semester.
I have a feeling she is going to have to go with a SUNY approved- sport management program. So that may really limit her choices.
My gut feeling is, she will look into the Griffith program as it is already approved by her school for her major.
Griffith sounds fine and being near Brisbane should be a big plus.
The biggest negative seems to be (at least for me) is that it may conflict with summer job/internships. D recently started a campus job, so I do have less of a problem with her NOT working over her summer vacation!!
Thanks for your input.

anothermom-w-q

Does anyone have any experience with Uni of New South Wales and their performing arts programs? My D is a double major in acting and music (vocal performance) and is interested in their program. They do have a school of music and acting classes, but it's hard to get any info from the school's website.
She will also take dance classes there, so any info about those would be helpful as well.

Thanks!

onetwothreefour

As general advice, the University of Melbourne is brilliant. I'm Australian, and have studied at three Victorian universities (yeah I'm a whore).

I did a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema at La Trobe University, and though they're IMO the leader in that particular field, and quite good in Arts in general, are lacking in other areas. The campus is also too far from the city.

Deakin University is where I studied next (doing Masters coursework subjects in writing/communication and international relations), and I place it far below La Trobe, even. There are some good tutors/lecturers around, but for the most part I found it seriously lacking. A majority of the students themselves don't seem to care what's going on, the campus is also quite far from the city, and a few of my classes were taken by PhD candidates rather than people established in their fields.

Now, Melbourne: what a seachange! I'm doing my Master of International Politics and I couldn't be happier. My classes have been taken by people who are virtually walking encyclopedias, oft-published, friendly and incredibly helpful. The academic quality is diverse too: I've only completed four subjects so far, but already I've had an expert in the fields of feminism and environmental politics, another who seemed broadly knowledgeable across the board, and one more who, despite being mildly crazy, also offers a great unorthodox view of the world. He's developing his own broad theory of world affairs, and has been working on it for the last thirty years or so. Needless to say it's a breathtaking project, and though I can practically feel the more conservative students in the classes rolling their eyes whenever he brings it up, it is definitely worthwhile having such extremely intelligent individuals willing to step outside the bounds of orthodoxy.

Besides that, the students are all extremely dedicated. I'm a bit of a slacker, and I really noticed it this year. Whenever I did turn up to class they would always be full, and there was never a lack of debate. The campus, by the way, is a five minute walk from the city, and beautiful. I recommend Melbourne to, um, anyone... especially people considering Arts courses.

I realise this advice isn't quite so suited to the questions now in this thread, but I'm hoping it will help someone

JohnWillkins

onetwothreefour:

I just got accepted to Study Abroad at Melbourne and your experience makes me even more excited! I come from a school very focused on engineering, so classes are dominated by quiet students listening to lectures--it'll be nice to have a discussion for a change.

anothermom-w-q

Bumped for somebody who asked.

sid19

anothermom-w-q:

UNSW has NIDA (national institute of performing arts) and it is nearly impossible for local students to get in so i am not sure if they offer classes for students on study abroad. However, there is a school within the ARTS department called Media, Film and Theatre which may offer some acting or acting related classes.

As for dance, I am pretty sure students would need to audition for the dance classes so you may like to check with the school ahead of time as to what the process would be for getting into the classes. They could accept a tape for an audition or something like that, Australia is huge so i assume they would have some sort of process for distance applications.

Can she take some electives while she is abroad?

anothermom-w-q

sid19...thanks so much. She is planning to get some of her required classes like history and math out of the way while she is there, but it is important for her to keep up her dance and voice lessons also. If necessary she will take private lessons from someone in the area. Thanks for the info. I will have her email the dance department to see if students outside the dance major can take classes, and how to do the audition.